1997 Acura CL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 18%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Acura CL, 18% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1997 Acura CL cuts off/quits while driving. It will not restart at first but after a rest it will restart. This happened over 6 month period. Then it would not start back at all. Many repairs were attempted which included changing fuel relay and ignition switch. Car is still stalling unexpectedly and now revs at intervals while driving. Very unreliable and dangerous to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10359194, filed 2010-10, 212,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Acura 3.0 CL. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition while in park or drive. The contact noticed NHTSA campaign id number: 02v120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but was advised by the manufacturer that his VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 152,072.”
NHTSA complaint #10359136, filed 2010-10, 152,072 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was then pulled over to the shoulder of the road. After turning the key in the ignition the vehicle restarted. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall 02v120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired a second time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10412306, filed 2011-07, 190,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Acura CL. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road. The contact attempted to move to the side of the road and the vehicle restarted. When this occurred, she had to hold the key in the ignition in the on position to drive to his residence. She also had to hold the keys in the on position to take the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the ignition switch was not working. The vehicle stalled without warning. The weather and road conditions were not a factor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10247585, filed 2008-11, 170,000 miles“1997 Acura CL 3.0 has problems with the ignition switch. The consumer vehicle was stalled out as she was driving. The consumer was advised in july 2004 that there was a recall and to take the vehicle to the nearest dealership, however in feb 2005, the vehicle began to stall again while traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was towed and upon examining the vehicle, the consumer was told the ignition switch was the source of the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10117453, filed 2005-03Related recalls
- 02V120000May 16, 2002On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current…Covers: Acura CL 1997–1999, Honda Accord 1997–1999, CR-V 1997–1999 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 10052080Feb 1, 2013Acura: see document search button for owner letter. Information regarding product update on battery sensor system may not been completed on vehicle. No model years provided.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Acura CL
20 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Acura CL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology